Sub. H.B. No. 236 - Never Alone Act Summary

• Prohibits congregate care settings (hospitals, nursing homes, health care facilities, etc.) from denying patients or residents access to designated advocates during public health emergencies and related orders.

• Defines "advocate" as spouses, family members, companions, guardians, attorneys-in-fact for health care, or court-appointed guardians who may assist patients or residents.

• Requires congregate care settings to inform patients at admission of their right to designate an advocate and provide opportunities for designation, with certain individuals automatically considered advocates.

• Mandates that advocates be allowed physically present with patients during public health emergencies and related health orders, except in limited circumstances (patient request, advocate violations, group therapy, or temporary abuse investigations).

• Requires the Ohio Department of Health to create and maintain a "Never Alone" information sheet describing patient rights and advocate duties, which must be provided to patients at admission.